DEC. 1: Candlelight vigil at the Congregational Church of Chico at 6 p.m.

NEXT ISSUE

What is Diversity 411?

Diversity action plan update

Celebrating the Holidays

The Office of Diversity is dedicated to providing a welcoming environment where students, faculty, and staff are included in campus events and activities to ensure their success. Together we can foster a climate that acknowledges and celebrates the differences that define who we are.

Many people might argue that racism no longer exists, and claim that the United States in particular is a country devoted to dispelling any kind of racism within its borders.

Even though we are years past the Civil Rights Movement and racial tensions have improved, it does not mean racism does not exist anymore.

Anti-racist writer and educator Tim Wise has taken racial issues head-on, spending the majority of his professional career speaking about matters that most would not be able to acknowledge publically. An inspiring speaker, he has traveled extensively in the United States, speaking in 49 states and visiting over 600 campuses. Wise has also spoken internationally in Canada and Bermuda about topics such as race and racism, education, and religion.

In addition to his speaking engagements, Wise has also taught at the Smith College School for Social Work in Northampton, Mass., educating master's students on racism in the United States. From 1999 to 2003 Wise also served as an advisor to the Fisk University Race Relations Institute.

Wise has also worked closely with journalists to help them eliminate racial bias in their reporting. For his many efforts, Wise has recently been named in the "Top 25 Visionaries Who are Challenging Your World" by Utne Reader.

Wise will be coming to Chico State on Nov. 30, courtesy of the Office of Diversity and University Staff Development, to speak on racism, white denial, and the cost of inequality. The event will begin at 3 p.m. in the Bell Memorial Union (BMU) Auditorium. Admission is free.

It is the disease that has yet to be cured and continues to sweep through the world discriminating against no particular race, gender or age.

HIV has been traditionally thought of as a "taboo" subject, but with an estimated 33.4 million people in the world living with this disease, according to the World AIDS Day website; it has become apparent it can no longer be swept underneath the rug.

In 2007 alone a total of 2 million people lost their lives to this disease.That is why December 1 of this year will be recognized as World AIDS Day in an effort to educate citizens in every country worldwide.

There are various ways you can show your support and help raise awareness, like donating your time or money. If you cannot donate either, you can show support by wearing a red ribbon on World AIDS Day.

The red ribbon represents a symbol of support for people who are living with this disease or for those who have lost someone to it. Not only is the red ribbon used for a sign of support but is also a way to help raise awareness while putting to rest negative prejudices.

Promoting awareness of HIV as well as education on the facts and putting to rest myths that are incorrect is the goal of World AIDS Day.To educate yourself and others on HIV and AIDS you can access the following website www.worldaidscampaign.org.Also, you can follow World AIDS Day on FaceBook.

Being able to protect yourself and the ones you love is a necessity, everyone needs to make an effort and help fight this pandemic.

Many think that they do not know anyone living with HIV or AIDS and it will never affect them, but with a disease causing this much devastation they are bound to.By helping others today you may be helping someone you know and love tomorrow.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

The Office of Diversity at Chico State would like to thank you for your attention to issues involving the community. If you have any questions, would like to read a particular topic in a newsletter or would like to comment on past newsletters, please e-mail us at diversityoffice@csuchico.edu. Thank you and we look

forward to your comments!

This publication is produced by Rachel Gendron on behalf of the Office of Diversity at Chico State.